The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week awarded more than $23 million in conservation and recreation projects designed to help revitalize communities and protect natural resources.

Funding for the grants comes from Growing Greener II, a voter-approved $625 million bond issue, and the Keystone '93 Fund, a DCNR fund generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

Statewide, the grants will fund a variety of projects and impact six swimming pools; 59 playgrounds; 53 sports courts and fields; 50 trails; and 49 planning projects for regional efforts, parks, greenways and rivers conservation.

It will also continue the TreeVitalize effort to restore tree cover in southeastern Pennsylvania; expand Better Models for Development smart growth efforts; continue the adopt-a-greenway program; and improve outreach and education efforts, including birding trail guides and river sojourns.

The list also includes more than $1.2 million for projects in the 12 counties in the northcentral region that make up the Pennsylvania Wilds, providing support for important community infrastructure improvements that will make them attractive places for economic investments.

Since November, the Rendell Administration has announced $31.5 million in upgrades and improvements to state parks and forests under Growing Greener II, and almost $14.5 million in open space protection.

DCNR received 436 applications looking for more than $69 million in assistance in this grant round.

A list of all grants awarded is available online.

Link: Final State Budget Restores Some Environmental Funding Cuts, Not Big Ones

7/7/2006